Northern will offer a six-month nurse educator certificate program as a step toward addressing the state’s critical shortage of nursing faculty. The program runs Aug. 15 through Feb. 28. It is designed for nurses who hold a master’s degree and want to achieve an entry-level teaching position in an academic or health-related setting.

Full tuition and a $23,000 stipend will be awarded to students who agree to teach full time in Michigan for at least five years after obtaining their certificates. The program is funded by a $360,000 State of Michigan Nursing Corps grant.

“Last year, nursing programs in Michigan turned away more than 4,000 applicants because of the severe shortage of qualified faculty,” said Julie Higbie, NMU nursing professor and director of the grant. “This funding will allow us to educate 10 new faculty members for Upper Peninsula and lower Michigan colleges and universities.”

The courses will be delivered using a mix of on-campus and online methods—primarily the latter. Students will be required to attend a three-day simulation workshop on the Marquette campus. Teaching practicum hours may be completed in the student’s community with an approved faculty preceptor. Graduates will receive a post-master’s certificate as a nurse educator.